Gravity-latch



UNIT D STATES .PATENT OEEicE.

ANDEEW s. EWING AND JOHN H. HEITMANN, or LEWISBUR'G, TENNEssEE.

GRAVITY-LATCH.

SPECIPTCATION forming part of Letters Patent N'g, 355,645, dated January 4, 1857.

Application filed June 17, 1886. Serial No. 205,442. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, ANDREW S. EWING and JOHN H. HEITMANN, citizens of the United States, residing at Lewisburg, in the county of Marshall and State of Tennessee, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gravity-Latches, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to an improved latch or fastening for gates, doors, 850.; and it consists in certain peculiarities of construction and in'the combination of parts, as will be hereinafter particularly described, and definitely pointed out in the claim at the end of this specification.

The invention is illustrated in the annexed drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gate and latch-post with our invent-ion applied. Fig.

2 is a view of the gravity or pendulum latch detached. Fig. 3 isa view of a latch-bracket. Fig. 4is a view of an angular guard or wear plate attached to the latch-stile of the gate.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 1 designates the latch-post of a gate, and '2 a bracket secured to one side of said post in a parallel line with the closed gate. The ends of this bracket are so bent or otherwise formed that when secured to the post 1, as shown, a space of one-half inch (more or less) will be afforded between the bracket and post to receive the vibratory gravity-latch 3, which is pivoted or fulcrumed on a pin, screw, or stud, 4, within the bracket.

The latch 3 is preferably made of cast metal and in the form shown in Fig. 2, being wider at bottom than at top to give it the necessary strength and weight to insure durability and make it hang in aperpendicular position, with one lower edge projecting beyond the edge of its supportingpost.

On the front face of the latch 3, integral therewith and extending transversely across its broad lower end, is located a curved bar, 5, which forms, with the body of the latch, a loop 6, that surrounds the bracket 2, and serves therewith as a stopor guard to limit the vibrations of the latch and obviate any liability of displacement. It will be understood, however, that the bar 5 projects suffinarrow end engaging the stud 4 in such a.

manner that one corner or edge of its lower broad end will project beyond the edge or corner of the post 1 far enough to reach and lap onto the gate 8 sufficiently to hold it in place when closed.

It is obvious that the latch can be arranged or suspended in such a manner ,as to fasten a gate that opens to either the right or the left.

In closing the gate its latch stile 9 comes in contact with the adjacent beveled, sloped, or curved end of the latch-bar 5, and in riding over the same gradually forces. the latch 3 back. As soonas the gate is closed, however, the latch 3 immediately resumes its perpendicular position, with one edge lapping the stile 9, and so holds the gate in a closed position. For the purpose of preventing Wear of thelatch-stile 9 an angular plate or guard, 10, is secured thereto at the point where it comes in frictional contact with the latch.

On either or both edges of the latch 3, nea

its lower end, may be located eyes 11, for at tachment of a rod or wire, 12, that can be ex tended up through a staple, l3, on the l-atchpost and project above said post for convenience in operating the latch when applied to drive-gates. By raising this rod or wire 12 the latch 3 will be vibrated backward, so the anced as to always close of itself, the latch will fasten it securely, so that it cannot be opened by any kind of stock.

This automatic latch is durable, effective, and inexpensive, can be conveniently applied to-either lawn or drive gates, and, having no njl' L l H (No Model.) I

R. W, GATES.

, I NUT LOOK. I No. 355,646.. Patenteddan. 4, 188'? 

